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We recently had a potential client come into our office. This client was hurt in a car wreck in  when she was stopped at a stop sign the other driver plowed into her from behind at a high rate of speed. Let's call her Client A.

Client A decided that she would try to settle the case on her own. She contacted the other driver's insurance company and began to work with them to settle the case. Over the course of several months of negotiations the insurance company kept telling her they would settle "next week". However "next week" always came and went without anything ever happening.

The truth of the matter is that the insurance company didn't want to settle. They are in the business of making money. And the less money they pay to settle claims, or even never settle claims, the more profit they can put in their pockets.

Eventually Client A became concerned. As the statute of limitations was soon expiring on her case she came to our firm. Luckily she did this in time and we were able to preserve her case.

In Client A's case the insurance company almost won. Their tactic of delay, delay, delay almost cost Client A by letting the statue of limitations expire. If that would have happened then Client A would not be able to recover anything.

Always remember this, the insurance companies are NOT looking out for your best interest. The only thing they are concerned about is their bottom line. If you are tackling an accident or injury case on your own be very aware of what is going on. And always understand when your potential case will expire!

 If you've been hurt in a car wreck here in Memphis and need a lawyer visit our memphis personal injury lawyer site here.

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Columnist (and cycling commuter) Anthony Siracusa has brought an upcoming event to our attention through his recent article with the Commercial Appeal, “Cycle for Safety Event to Increase Awareness.”  On May 3, the Memphis Thunder Triathlon Racing Team will be holding its third annual Cycle for Safety event in the memory of Cory Horton, a cyclist killed by a car in 2005. 

The Memphis Thunder also hopes to raise awareness of their new signs, sprinkled across Collierville, reminding us and you that “3 Feet It’s the Law” means that you must give a cyclist a three-foot space when passing them in a car.  The event will have a fun 5-mile ride as well as two longer rides at 34 and 52 miles each.  You can still register for any of these rides at http://www.memphisthunderracing.com. 

It seems that this event can’t come quickly enough. Just last week another biker was hit and killed here in the Memphis area. This time it occurred on Highway 64 in Fayette County. Robert Firehammer, a 51 year old retired Navy captain was hit and killed while riding his bike on the shoulder of Highway 64. (more about this accident can be found at the commercialappeal.com)

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If you have been in any type of car wreck, automobile accident or any other type of personal injury here in Memphis or any part of Tennessee or Missippi you probably have not heard about Colossus. But you should be aware of him!

Colossus is the computer system that most of the top 20 insurance companies in America use to help their insurance adjusters "evaluate" your claim. Basically the insurance adjuster inputs what type of injury you have and how much your medical and hospital bills are and the computer spits out a number telling the adjuster what type of settlement offer to give you.

There are many different variables that the computer uses to evaluate your claim, including whether or not you have lawyer. You see, when you have a lawyer the insurance companies know that you mean business, they even take this into account in their computer system. But what's even more important is that if you have a good Memphis personal injury lawyer he or she will know that just because "Colossus" computes some random number that doesn't mean that number is what your case is worth.

A good Tennessee or Mississippi personal injury lawyer or accident lawyer understands that there are other important variables that decide the value of a personal injury lawsuit. Variables that can't be computed, such as your status in the community, occupation, how many claims you've made in the past, and your overall character.

Don't be done in by the insurance companies big money computer. Hire the best Memphis car accident lawyer or Mississippi car wreck lawyer you can find.

If you have any questions that I or my office could help you with please call us today or request my FREE book "7 Deadly Mistakes That Can KILL Your Memphis Accident Case" by clicking Here. At the Ferrell Law Firm we are here to help you.

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1. PULLOVER RIGHT AWAY: If you can, move your car off the street or to the side of the road. Not stopping after an accident could case you to be guilty of the criminal offense of leaving the scene of an accident or hit and run.

2. E-911: If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away and ask for the police and an ambulance if needed.

3. PHOTOS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS: Take LOTS of pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage done to any cars or trucks, and of any injuries you might have. (see my previous post about phots here.)

4. NEVER ADMIT FAULT: Do not tell anyone that you were at fault. Often times you are in a state of shock and might not be aware of what really occurred.

5. GET THE OTHER DRIVER 'S INFORMATION: Exchange all of the following information with the other driver involved in the wreck, name, address, phone number, driver's license, vehicle year, make, model, color, and license plate number, and insurance information, including company, policy number, effective dates of policy, and telephone number.

6. SEE IF THERE WERE ANY WITNESS' AND GET THEIR INFORMATION: Get their name, address, and telephone number. Make sure you do this for each witness.

7. TELL THE POLICE OFFICER ABOUT YOUR INJURIES: If you are hurt, tell the police officer. The record of your injuries will be put in the investigating officer's report. If you don't mention to the police officer that you were injured, the insurance adjuster who will ultimately evaluate your claim might not believe that you were really hurt in the accident.

8. GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT: If you are hurt get medical treatment right away. Go to the nearest emergency room or to your personal doctor. An injury, if left untreated, may become substantially worse. If you don't seek treatment or delay getting medical treatment, an insurance adjuster may suspect that you are not genuinely injured and discount your claim.

9. CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY: Tell your insurance company about the wreck but do not talk to the other driver's insurance company or any adjuster. Usually a claims adjuster for the other driver will be assigned to your claim before you get a lawyer. This usually happens within a day or two of the accident. The adjuster will request permission to take a recorded or written statement (and even if he doesn't request it you can bet he's probably recording your conversation). If you are considering hiring a Tennessee or Mississippi personal injury lawyer, you shouldn't give a statement any insurance adjuster for the other driver. Anything you say can seriously jeopardize  your case without you even knowing it. Just tell the adjuster that you have decided to hire an attorney, and instruct him or her to refer all further questions to your attorney.

10. CALL A MISSISSIPPI OR TENNESSEE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER : If you are seriously injured don't try to settle your own claim. A good Memphis, Tennessee or Mississippi personal injury attorney will generally be able to get much more money for you than you will be offered in settlement by an insurance adjuster, even when you take into account attorney's fees. If you do choose to accept a settlement for your injury without hiring a lawyer, you may receive a settlement that doesn't adequately pay you for permanent injuries and damages. If you're not sure whether to settle, talk to a lawyer who handles personal injury cases.